"Unfortunately, it goes without saying that
universities can only allocate funds which they received from NSFAS," he
said.

"In this case, UJ did not receive sufficient funds
to assist all students who qualify for NSFAS funding. We understand the
students’ concern and recognise their problem."

He said in order to be able to accommodate the 7 800
qualifying students on the NSFAS loan at UJ, the university had to add R30m from
its own coffers.

"Unfortunately, for 2 170 qualifying students [who
would need R113m] NSFAS has not provided funding. The university is currently
in discussion with the NSFAS office and the department of higher
education," he said.

Maluleke said UJ management would continue to seek an
urgent and lasting solution to the problem.

Mangosuthu University of Technology, in Durban, was also
hit by protests that led to disruptions of lectures.

Students’ demands

Protesting students were demanding to be re-registered
despite unpaid student fees. The unpaid fees related to students funded by
NSFAS.

"This year, the university has received a grant
amounting to R167 512 494 from NSFAS, only 6% more [than] last year's grant.

"This is a challenge because even last year NSFAS
could only fund 20% of first-year students. This is beyond the control of the
university because NSFAS is an external and autonomous body in its own
right," she said.

NSFAS had not paid last year's fees for some students,
Mkhize said.

She said the institution would communicate with NSFAS and
the higher education department to resolve the issue.

Lectures were stopped on Monday, but Mkhize said security
had been beefed up and she expected lectures to resume on Tuesday.

Classes cancelled

Durban University of Technology experienced similar scenes,
as protesting students pulled others out of lecture rooms.

Students Representative Council president Ayanda Ngidi
said a meeting with the university's executive on Monday revealed that the
management had failed to act on any of its demands.

Students presented their grievances to Vice Chancellor
Ahmed Bawa last Wednesday.

"They didn't even attend to one issue," Ngidi
said, adding that the students had embarked on a full-blown strike.

DUT spokesperson Alan Khan said lectures were cancelled
shortly before midday in an attempt to ensure the safety of staff and students
who were not participating in the protest.

He said the police were called, but because of the size
of the three campuses - Steve Biko, Ritson and ML Sultan - it was impossible to
ensure the safety of those who were not protesting.

The SRC's main demand was that students whose fees had
not been paid by NSFAS should be allowed to re-register despite the
non-payment.

"We have no jurisdiction over what NSFAS disburses.
The majority of students are not part of the protests," Khan said.

He rejected Ngidi's assertion that DUT had not tackled
any of the students' demands.

He said the book allowance had been increased from R1 000
a student to R1 500.

"It wasn't pleasant being on campus today,"
said Khan.

He said management would meet later on Monday to decide
what action to take and when lectures would resume.

Calls for protests

On Sunday, the SA Students' Congress (Sasco) called for
mass student protests over the shortages.

"No registration at the universities until all students
are given equal opportunities," Sasco president Ntuthuko Makhombothi told
reporters in Johannesburg.

Makhombothi said the lack of funds prohibited poor
prospective students from gaining access to higher learning.

He said the NSFAS continued to cater for few students and
exclude majority of those who were poor, even if they met the requirement of
being academically deserving and financially needy.

He called on South African students to rally behind their
action.

"Everything we have achieved in this country was
through united actions. This is not a time to lock ourselves in boardrooms and
have permanent meetings that do not resolve the plight of our students,"
he said.

He said it was shocking and extremely disturbing that the
institutions that were confronted with the problems were the previously black
institutions where children of the workers and the poor studied.

"It is, therefore, an attack on the poor and it
ought to be responded to with serious mass action. In the principle of unity...
Sasco is engaged in preparations for a... strike in the entire tertiary
landscape," he said.

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